Small group wildlife & nature holidaysTours & holidays in 2019 & 2020

Small group wildlife & nature holidays give you exactly what they say on the packet and if you understand the virtues of small group travel and how this ethos expands your wildlife watching opportunities then this is definitely the type of tour for you. Blue whales in the Azores, lemurs in Madagascar or trekking in Chitwan National Park in Nepal; these are just a few ideas to whet your appetite, the rest of your adventure is up to you.

Memorable parts?
Seeing the wild bison
Tips?
Be willing to be sociable and make the most of the opportunities to see the wildlife, even if it means getting up very early. Be respectful of the rules and the rest of the group and follow the clothing rules (as some of our group did not do!)
Local benefits?
Yes. It was nice to have a small group and get to know the local guides who were personable and extremely knowledgeable.
Overall rating?
Great, although I would... (more)Sarah Bascombe

I had a great time! We had a great mix of personalities within our group, saw plenty of wildlife and ate lots of great food. (more)Lee Truong

The great diversity of this country, the climate and geographical changes, together with the plants, birds and mammals. (more)Alan Nunn

The highlight was Tortuguero National Park. An excellent trip; travelling for circa 3 to 4 hours every other day was acceptable and allowed approximately a day and a half at each new location. Guide was well informed, articulate and considerate. (more)Chris Schaefer

The most memorable part of the trip was spotting not only the big 5 but seeing rare animals such as white lions, wild dogs and the endangered ground hornbill. There was never one trip out the same and the excitement of seeing so many different animals was amazing.
(more)Dave Jackson

EXCELLENT as it met all my requirements. I did not want to stay in lodges that looked like American hotels. The tented camps made us feel closer to the
environment... I have been in Lodges in other parts of South Africa and other than the game I felt I could have been at a 5 star US hotel... so this was what I was looking for. (more)Eve Solomon

The wonderful variety of wildlife and the magnificent beauty of the Namib desert (more)Clare Price

Truly excellent! There was a good mixed group of people, but overall our guides, Jeff & Tawanda, really made the trip as good as it was. They worked hard,
were up first, and to bed last. Always cheerful and smiling, full of information about the regions we were travelling through, the animals and people. (more)Danila Mansfield

I enjoyed the holiday and felt it was good value for money. (more)Ian Timmins

This was an excellent holiday that allowed me to see a lot of wildlife. (more)Genevieve Morris

Most memorable was Tsingy de Behamara and getting stuck in the mud when our 4WD became a 2WD due to a fault. Mantadia, Ranomafana and Kirindy are fabulous national parks/reserves. Isalo landscape is stunning. (more)Paul Shepherd

Memorable parts?
Seeing African Wild dogs for the first time, as it completed my personal 'Big Five' of Predators. Many other memorable moments, too many to mention.
Tips?
Expect very varied accommodation, from tent to 3* hotel. Go with the flow and enjoy. However, be careful in Victoria Falls (the town!) some of the street
vendors are effectively beggars and difficult to shake off. If possible don't walk around alone even in daytime and especially around the bridge area where
tourists... (more)Nicolas Ward

Good but disappointing game drives at the end (too tiger orientated - Uncomfrortable fast drive and then sat seeing nothing for last six drives) (more)Martyn Todd

The most memorable moment was seeing a Wild Tiger for the first time and witnessing a Tiger stalk and live kill a cow from about 40 yards away, an amazing one in a life time moment!!! This was a great holiday, enjoying a group holiday for the first time, meeting folks from different walks of life, mixing with the local people... (more)Ian Harrison

Definitely a benefit for the local people with the money and jobs and investment in the school. (more)Linda Hall

Memorable parts?
All the holiday was memorable but for me: going into the rainforest and seeing truly wild orangutans and a family of foraging Thomas Leaf Monkeys close up without a care of being watched. Snorkelling in the Komodo National Park and seeing so many beautiful fish and colourful corals. Walking on Komodo and Rinca and have a fairly large 'dragon' purposefully stride towards us.
Tips?
Take plenty of insect repellant and lightweight clothes. When in Sumatra make sure you... (more)Val Golding

Seeing Tigers in the wild was the most memorable part of the holiday... Overall a brilliant trip (more)John Dixon

Enjoyed every aspect of it and the local agent handling it all was faultless. (more)Nigel and Theresa Rogers

Seeing a tiger for the first time was the most memorable moment. I was looking at a bird through my binoculars, when I hear a sudden call that resonates right through me. Out of the jungle walks a female tiger. I was lucky to be in the only jeep in that area, which made it feel all the more special.... (more)Kelvin Lofthouse

We were very impressed with all aspects of this holiday and felt that it was faultless throughout. The itinerary suited us and went like clockwork, our guide and driver were excellent, the hotels and food were beyond our expectations. (more)Alan Vaughan

Most memorable were the National parks, lemurs and chameleons.... Great holiday. Stayed in some lovely places. People were very friendly. Food was good and rum cheap!! (more)Janet White Spunner

This was the best holiday I have ever had. I enjoyed every minute. The group size of eight people was ideal. My previous visit to Madagascar (with another
company) was like 'a school trip' rigid and over organised. This trip was very well organised, yet had a degree of flexibility. (more)Jean Dance

There were many memorable moments. Camping in the Okovango Delta was amazing, and the walks around the delta meant that we could get really close to some animals without disturbing them. The sunset cruise on the Chobe River enabled us to see loads of elephants taking baths and they weren't bothered at all by our presence. (more)Tim Gregory

The whole holiday was wonderful especially drive through Namibia with spectacular scenery and its breathtaking landscape. (more)Arvind Sharma

Remember that this is Africa and everything does not work all the time. Be patient and positive and make friends along the way. (more)Louis Carroll

Very good great experience very well run and crew are fantastic. (more)lisa houston

Excellent. It is a shame that we did not do this before we reached our sixties. (more)Billie Jean Stubbs

Too many to pick just one highlight - spending an hour with a family of 10 mountain gorillas, a balloon flight over the Masai Mara at sunrise, seeing wild chimpanzees, spotting elephants, big cats, hippos.... The list could go on.
(more)Kay Emblen-Perry

We stayed on the river until sundown and saw the most spectacular sunset (that was a real 'pinch me, is this real?!' moment), and then celebrated the day with a bottle of Merlot back at the lodge. An unforgettable day.
(more)Niamh Sherry

The holiday far surpassed my expectations- and this was made so special by Sheila (our leader)’s passion and commitment to her “work”. (more)Eleri Roberts

Probably seeing orang-utans in the wild and up very close at Sepilok rehabilitation centre but the whole trip was both memorable and exciting! (more)Linda Beviss

That's difficult as there were so many memorable moments. The zipwire above the cloud forest was a massive adrenalin rush. Helping to plant trees by potting bags of soil was great too and a great bonding moment for the group. (more)Sylvia Kenna

The most exciting part of the holiday was probably the turtle egg laying. (more)Abigail Croydon

All of it was memorable...the wildlife, the scenery, the activities we did, including zipwiring, canyoning and whitewater rafting, our group and group leader and especially the amazing friendliness of the Costa Rican people. (more)Jocelyn Owen

The jungle walk at night and the Perhentian islands was memorable. It was great. I really enjoyed it. We had an amazing guide and we were only a group of 3. Don't know how much different it would be with a bigger group. (more)Bettina Buomberger

Most memorable? Definitely climbing Mount Kinabalu. But very closely followed by the wildlife from orangutans, wild elephants to the sea turtles... Excellent... You should definitely book on this trip! (more)Kirsty Howland

The various methods of travel through Borneo really gave you a sense of travelling like locals and getting the maximum "real life" experience... The best travel experience I have had so far!
(more)Michelle Blois

I enjoyed the whole tour so it is difficult to identify any one memorable part. Walking the different environments (rainforest, mountains, national parks) and getting close to the animals in their natural environment, for example lemurs, birds, frogs, stick insects and chameleons. (more)Margaret Lawlor

Excellent. Our guide Hery was perfect, just the right mix of information on a daily basis, a sense of humour and the ability to be guide/accountant/doctor/personal shopper and general multi-tasker (more)Caroline Gibson

A once in a lifetime experience to a country of extremes that will change rapidly and much of the wildlife and unique plants is about to disappear for good! Go while it's still there! (more)Garry Crompton

Most memorable: Exploring this little known (to us) part of Greece, meeting the friendly locals, and eating the fantastic food. The scenery is truly stunning and unspoilt, and the autumn colours were just superb. (more)Baxter Jeffs

The autumn colours and atmosphere of mountains and lakes and the great time with our group was the most memorable part...Excellent. (more)Anna Denise Bolks

The knowledge and professionalism of the local guide...was the most memorable part of the holiday.
(more)Quentin Macilray